In 1999, the average U.S. salary was $30,470 a year, a gallon of regular gas cost $1.17 and median rent was about $585 a month. A dollar from 1999 buys what $2.02 buys today.
| Item | 1999 | 1999 in today’s dollars | Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SalaryAverage yearly wage | $30,470 | $61,683 | $74,499 |
| Payroll taxSocial Security and Medicare, employee share, yearly, on the average wage | $2,331 | $4,719 | $5,699 |
| A dozen eggsGrade A large, grocery store | ≈$0.92 | ≈$1.86 | $3.80 |
| A gallon of milkWhole milk, grocery store | ≈$2.73 | ≈$5.52 | $4.03 |
| Thanksgiving dinner for 10The Farm Bureau’s basket: turkey, sides and pie | ≈$31.80 | ≈$64.38 | $55.94 |
| Big MacSandwich only; sold nationally since 1968 | ≈$2.47 | ≈$5.00 | $6.06 |
| Ham & cheese sandwich groceries1 lb white bread, 1 lb sliced ham, 1 lb American cheese | ≈$7.63 | ≈$15.44 | $13.67 |
| Tank of gas15 gallons of regular unleaded | $17.55 | $35.53 | $66.06 |
| Car insuranceAverage yearly premium | ≈$686 | ≈$1,388 | $1,736 |
| Monthly rentMedian rent including utilities | ≈$585 | ≈$1,184 | $1,565 |
| Monthly mortgage paymentMedian home, 20% down, 30-yr fixed, with taxes and insurance | ≈$893 | ≈$1,808 | $2,787 |
| Property taxAverage yearly bill on a single-family home | ≈$1,774 | ≈$3,591 | $4,406 |
| A movie ticketAverage admission, all showtimes | ≈$5.16 | ≈$10.45 | $11.60 |
| A pack of cigarettesPremium brand, including state taxes | ≈$2.75 | ≈$5.57 | $8.72 |
| A night in a hotelMid-range room, average nightly rate | ≈$81.76 | ≈$166 | $163 |
| Cable TV billMonthly expanded basic package | ≈$28.56 | ≈$57.82 | $108 |
| MLB game ticketAverage non-premium seat | ≈$14.85 | ≈$30.07 | $42.50 |
| Daycare for one toddlerFull-time, licensed center, monthly | ≈$483 | ≈$978 | $1,382 |
| A year of public universityIn-state tuition and fees, four-year public | ≈$3,347 | ≈$6,776 | $11,993 |
| Family health premiumEmployer plan, total monthly cost incl. employer share | $470 | $951 | $2,235 |
| Having a baby in hospitalUncomplicated delivery, billed charges | ≈$6,192 | ≈$12,535 | $15,800 |
| A weddingCeremony and reception, not counting the ring | ≈$19,495 | ≈$39,466 | $34,802 |
| Cross-country flightRound trip coach, New York to Los Angeles | ≈$456 | ≈$923 | $444 |
| A first-class stampOne ounce, the price posted by the USPS | $0.33 | $0.67 | $0.78 |
U.S. prices at midyear 1999. ≈ marks estimates between data points; each item’s page lists its sources. Today’s dollars use the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U).